NHTSA Opens Investigation Into Steering Loss on 2008 Ford Super Duty

Steering and brakes are two of the fundamental functions on a vehicle that drivers count on as key safety features. A failure in either can result in some white-knuckle moments. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Office of Defects Investigation has opened a preliminary investigation into 2008 Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty trucks for reports of loss of steering. Five instances have been reported to the agency, with one reportedly to have resulted in a crash.As many as 340,000 trucks may be subject to the investigation. Two of the complaints allege the steering wheel spun freely with no apparent directional control. A failure of the steering gear box would seize the steering shaft, causing a shearing of the steering wheel shaft pin. One of the failures caused the truck to veer off the road at 35 mph, and another ran into a parked car at 20 mph. The failures all occurred on vehicles with less than 100,000 miles. One complaint alleges two steering box failures within 4000 miles.Although there were two incidents that resulted in vehicles going off the road, and one resulting in a collision, none of them have so far resulted in serious injury. If you have experienced a similar issue, and wish to report it to the agency, go to www.odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq.Source: NHTSA

I have a 2000 F250 diesel pickup with 175,000 miles.This just happened to me yesterday August 14,
2013.I was just seconds away from
getting on the highway when the steering went completely out.Fortunately I looked down and noticed the
steering wheel was about 90 degrees off from center.I worked on vehicles my whole life and new
that this was serious and pulled off the road.I checked the tie rods looking for anything obvious and didn’t find
anything.Got back in the truck to test
the steering wheel and as I turned the wheel there was a slight resistance then
pop and the wheel spun freely.Opened
the hood and the shaft was connected to the box spinning freely.Called a tow truck!I had my 4-yr old daughter in the truck with me
and we were getting on the highway.I
don’t even want to think what would have happened!!!

I wouldn't doubt if all five of those trucks were running monster mudders. Tie rods can wear out under normal use with stock tires at less than 100k miles. They are part of the normal maintenance and inspection routine in the owners manual. I don't think lack of maintenance = safety defect